Maui Times

10/07/2023

Columnist Trish Smith pays tribute to local heroes.

Bengali Arkangel, Keith Batlin, Tuff Lion, Jahson Arkangel, Koa Lopes

Photo by Cassie Hastu Photography

Chefs and musicians uplift Maui with their gifts The embrace of true aloha is not simply defined. It is grace in motion, pure love and serene warmth. Food and music are deep expressions of these, and both have provided profound comfort recently. Chefs and musicians are generous by nature, and give b...

10/06/2023

Octoberʻs Nō Ka `Oi 9

10/06/2023

Eh Brah! Shame on the tourists who’ve been passing through Lāhainā Town, acting all pilau and taking selfies with our burnt town in the background. They need to be reminded this isnʻt a photo opportunity — it's our home. The community is still grappling with the aftermath of these tragic losses and actions like this make the grieving process more challenging. Either show respect for the ʻāina and the residents who’ve lost everything or don’t come to the West Side at all.

llustration Ron Pitts, Artist Ron Pitts, Artist

Shame on the tourists who’ve been passing through Lāhainā Town, acting all pilau and taking selfies with our burnt town in the background. They need to be reminded this isnʻt a photo opportunity — it’s our home. The community is still grappling with the aftermath of these tragic losses and ...

10/05/2023

The Maui Police Department released the name of one additional fatality from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire.

The individual is Michael Mahnensmith, 80, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about him.

The total number of confirmed fatalities from the Aug. 8 fire stands at 98, according to the MPD. Police have so far identified and notified the next-of-kin for 93 people who died in the fire, authorities say. One individual has been identified, but their families have not yet been located or notified, according to police.

The individual is Buddy Carter, 85, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about him.

09/30/2023

There are still 12 individuals who have not been accounted for following the devastating Aug. 8 fire in Lāhainā, police said Friday. This is down from the list of 22 individuals released by police officials last week.

The list of unaccounted for individuals was compiled by both the Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said.

The 12 individuals who remain on the unaccounted-for list all have a missing persons report on file with the MPD and are the only remaining credible unaccounted for individuals at this time, police officials said Friday.

The list of unaccounted for individuals was compiled by both the Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said.

09/30/2023

The Maui Police Department on Friday released the name of one additional fatality from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire.

The individual is Allen John Constantino, 25, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about the individual.

The total number of estimated fatalities from the Aug. 8 fire stands at 97, according to the MPD. Police have so far identified and notified the next-of-kin for 90 people who died in the fire, authorities say. Another individual has been identified, but the family has not yet been located or notified, according to police.

The individual is Allen John Constantino, 25, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about the individual.

09/28/2023

A County Council committee next week will discuss environmental concerns that resulted from the August wildfires that burned around Maui, according to the committee’s agenda.

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the County Council’s Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee will discuss a variety of environmental matters and problems that stem from the devastating August wildfires on Maui. The committee will hear from at least three experts, according to the agenda.

Tuesday’s meeting will be open to the public. The meeting will start at 9am on Tuesday, Oct. 3 and take place in the 8th Floor Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku (200 S. High St.).

On Monday, Oct. 2, the County Council's Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will hear testimony and discuss social services that are available to the community to help those affected by the August wildfires that burned across the island and devastated Lahaina, according to the meeti...

09/27/2023

Next week a County Council committee will discuss various social services that are available for people who were affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires.

On Monday, Oct. 2, the County Council’s Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will hear testimony and discuss social services that are available to the community to help those affected by the August wildfires that burned across the island and devastated Lāhainā, according to the meeting agenda.

On Monday, Oct. 2, the County Council's Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will hear testimony and discuss social services that are available to the community to help those affected by the August wildfires that burned across the island and devastated Lahaina, according to the meeti...

09/27/2023

Tourists will return to West Maui in three stages starting with the most northern resorts on Oct. 8 and proceeding after an assessment of each phase, county officials announced Wednesday.

Staggering the return of tourists to West Maui hotels allows for the more than 7,000 residents who were displaced and traumatized by the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire to return to work, arrange childcare, get children returned to schools and provides “a more deliberate process” to help residents get long-term housing, county officials said in a Sept. 27 news release.

The first phase, which begins Oct. 8, will reopen hotels from the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua to Kahana, according to the county. The second phase, which does not have a firm start date but will take place following an assessment of Phase 1, will reopen hotels from Mahinahina to Maui Kāʻanapali Villas, county officials said.

Phase 3, which starts after an assessment of Phase 2, reopens the rest of West Maui hotels, from the Royal Lahaina Resort to the Hyatt Regency. This is the area where the majority of displaced residents were sheltered, according to the county.

Staggering the return of tourists to West Maui hotels allows for residents to return to work, arrange childcare, get children returned to schools and provides "a more deliberate process" to help residents get long-term housing, county officials said.

09/27/2023

The Maui Police Department released the names of another six additional fatalities from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire Tuesday.

All six individuals are Lāhainā residents, according to the MPD.

The individuals are Felimon Quijano, 61; Luz Bernabe, 64; Joel Villegas, 55; Adela Villegas, 53; Angelica Baclig, 31; and TJunmark Quijano, 30. Police released no further information about the individuals.

All six individuals are Lāhainā residents, according to the MPD. One of the individuals is a minor, police said.

09/26/2023

The Maui Police Department on Monday released the name of one additional fatality from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire.

The individual is Matsuyuki Osato, 83, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about the individual.

The total number of estimated fatalities from the Aug. 8 fire stands at 97, according to the MPD. Police have so far identified and notified the next-of-kin for 83 people who died in the fire, authorities say. Another six individuals have been identified, but their families have not yet been located or notified, according to police.

The individual is Matsuyuki Osato, 83, of Lāhainā. Police released no further information about the individual.

09/26/2023

A County Council committee on Monday approved a new bill laying out standards and procedures for fire debris removal in Lāhainā and Kula, clearing the way for final council approval.

Bill 86, introduced by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, gives people who lost property in the fire a choice between allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove all fire debris for free, or hiring contractors at their own expense to clean their property to the same standards.

A California public official experienced in wildfire recovery who is advising county officials testified during Monday’s Business, Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting that the out-of-pocket costs to property owners who opt out of the free government debris removal program could exceed $70,000.

Property owners will have a choice of whether to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out Phase 2 debris removal free of charge or hire their own contractors to do the debris removal, according to Bill 86.

09/25/2023

The Maui Police Department released the names of six additional fatalities from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire Sunday.

All six individuals are Lāhainā residents, according to the MPD. One of the individuals is a minor, police said.

The individuals are Michael Morinho, 61; Ediomede Pavian Castillo, 35; Alfred Rawlings, 84; Maria Victoria Recolizado, 51; Justin Recolizado, 11; and Terri Thomas, 62. Police released no further information about the individuals.

All six individuals are Lāhainā residents, according to the MPD. One of the individuals is a minor, police said.

09/22/2023

There are still 22 individuals who have not been accounted for following the devastating Aug. 8 fire in Lāhainā, police said Friday. This is down from the list of 31 individuals released by police officials last week.

The list of unaccounted for individuals was compiled by both the Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The 22 individuals who remain on the unaccounted-for list all have a missing persons report on file with the MPD and are the only remaining credible unaccounted for individuals at this time, police officials said Friday.

The 22 individuals who remain on the unaccounted-for list all have a missing persons report on file with the MPD and are the only remaining credible unaccounted for individuals at this time, police officials said Friday.

09/21/2023

Residents on one Wahikuli street devastated in last month’s wildfire will be the first allowed to return to their property next week, county officials said Wednesday night.

From 8am to 4pm on Monday, Sept. 25 and Tuesday, Sept. 25, residents of the section of Kaniau Road in Lāhainā’s Wahikuli neighborhood that was burned in the Aug. 8 fire will be allowed access onto their property, County of Maui officials said. This area is known as “Zone 1C” on the above image.

Residents wishing to return to their homes in each cleared zone will first have to obtain a county-issued vehicle pass. Two passes will be available to property owners and two passes will be available for each rental dwelling, according to the county. Those with passes may bring anyone they choose when they visit their property, county officials said.

From 8am to 4pm on Monday, Sept. 25 and Tuesday, Sept. 25, residents of the section of Kaniau Road in Lāhainā’s Wahikuli neighborhood that was burned in the Aug. 8 fire will be allowed access onto their property, County of Maui officials said.

09/21/2023

The Maui Police Department released the name of another fatality from the Aug. 8 Lāhainā fire Tuesday.

The individual is Kirk Carter, 44, a Lāhainā resident. Police released no further information about the individual.

The total number of estimated fatalities from the Aug. 8 fire stands at 97, according to the MPD. Police have so far identified and notified the next-of-kin for 76 people who died in the fire, authorities say. Another four individuals have been identified, but their families have not yet been located or notified, according to police.

The individual is James Smith, 79, of Lahaina. Police released no further information about the individual.

09/20/2023

A Maui County Council Committee next week will discuss the removal of debris in Lāhainā following last month’s devastating wildfire.

The council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee will take up debris removal at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 25. The committee will hear testimony from a variety of experts and discuss Bill 86, which lays out standards and procedures for the removal of structural debris in Lāhainā, according to the meeting’s agenda.

Mayor Richard Bissen introduced Bill 86, and asked that the council consider it “expeditiously” given its importance relating to the recovery of Lāhainā, he wrote in a Sept. 7 letter to the council.

The committee will hear testimony from a variety of experts and discuss Bill 86, which lays out standards and procedures for the removal of structural debris in Lāhainā, according to the meeting’s agenda.